Brands
Nissan taps Gagan Mangal to steer India communications
Yokohama: Nissan Motor India has appointed Gagan Mangal as head of communications, drafting in a seasoned automotive communicator as it steps up its brand revival in a fiercely competitive market.
Effective January 12, Mangal is based in Gurugram and will lead communications for Nissan Motor India, reporting to Katherine Zachary, vice-president international communications, and working closely with Saurabh Vatsa, managing director of the India business.
Mangal joined from Volkswagen India, where he headed press and marketing communications. A management graduate with more than 18 years of experience, he has worked across corporate communications and marketing roles at major automotive manufacturers, including Volkswagen and Hyundai.
His career has been defined by integrated communications strategies spanning product launches, large-scale events and brand campaigns, alongside building strong national and regional media narratives.
Vatsa said Mangal’s appointment came at a pivotal moment as Nissan accelerated its brand resurgence and readied new product launches, adding that his grasp of the Indian media landscape would strengthen the company’s communications strategy.
Zachary echoed the sentiment, saying Mangal’s leadership would be critical as Nissan entered a new phase in India.
The mandate is clear. With products on the horizon and competition tightening, Nissan is betting on sharper storytelling, tighter media engagement and a louder voice.
Brands
Primus Partners appoints Akasa Air co-founder Neelu Khatri as independent director
Veteran aviation and defence professional joins as independent director
NEW DELHI: Primus Partners has appointed Neelu Khatri, a founding member of Akasa Air, as an independent director, strengthening the consulting firm’s board as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
Khatri brings more than three decades of experience across defence, aviation, aerospace technology and consulting. She was part of the core team that helped build Akasa Air from concept to launch, contributing to what has been widely described as one of the fastest airline scale ups in recent aviation history.
At Primus Partners, she will provide strategic guidance on corporate governance and help steer the firm’s long term growth plans. Her experience of building a start up into a full scale organisation is expected to support the consulting firm as it expands its footprint.
Primus Partners co-founder and chairperson Davinder Sandhu, said the appointment brings valuable expertise to the board. “Neelu’s journey across defence, aviation and consulting brings a rare blend of operational insight and strategic thinking. Her experience in rapidly scaling Akasa Air will be invaluable as we continue to grow while maintaining a strong focus on corporate governance,” he said.
Primus Partners, an India headquartered management consulting and solutions firm, has emphasised governance and board oversight since its early days. The company has also taken an unconventional approach by inviting its Gen Z employees to attend board meetings so that younger perspectives can contribute to discussions.
Speaking on her appointment, Khatri said the consulting sector is entering a transformative period shaped by emerging technologies. “The industry is evolving rapidly with the rise of AI. This is an exciting moment for an Indian origin consulting firm like Primus Partners to expand its product offerings and strengthen its presence globally,” she said.
She added that as the firm pursues ambitious expansion plans, her focus will be on ensuring strong governance frameworks and effective risk management as the organisation scales.
